Cosmetic Product Applicator

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator, including a core forming a winding over at least one turn around a main axis of the applicator and along this axis so as to define an internal convex volume extending from one end of the winding to another end of the winding, and protrusions extending from the core. The applicator is arranged such that no part of the applicator, with the possible exception of certain protrusions, is located in the internal convex volume.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to cosmetic product applicators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A mascara article, or “mascara”, typically comprises a case, a mascara container and an applicator. There are numerous mascara applicators, in particular bottle brush type applicators. These applicators form a brush which comprises bristles formed by fibers trapped in a twisted metal wire forming the core of the applicator. Such applicators give the user satisfactory results. However, the user is always looking for new or better make-up effects. Improvements include the search for better separation of the eyelashes, a better elongating and/or curving effect of the eyelashes, a greater volume given to the eyelashes or a different make-up effect depending on the location of the eyelash in a row of eyelashes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is therefore to improve the cosmetic product applicators.

The invention therefore relates to a cosmetic product applicator, comprising:

a core forming a winding over at least one turn around a main axis of the applicator and along this axis so as to define an internal convex volume extending from one end of the winding to another end of the winding, and

protrusions extending from the core,

the applicator being arranged such that no part of the applicator, with the possible exception of certain protrusions, is located in the internal convex volume.

Thus, the internal convex volume acts as a cosmetic product reserve. When the applicator is inserted into a cosmetic product container, this volume is filled with product and a larger quantity of this reserve is still present after the applicator has passed through a wiper. Thus, the number of reloads required during make-up is reduced and make-up is simplified for the user.

The turn(s) formed by the winding of the core around the main axis of the applicator help to produce make-up effects particularly required by the user. In particular, they help to produce good separation of the eyelashes and an elongating effect. In addition, depending on the type of use, they can help to push back the eyelashes towards the outside, thereby creating a “doe-eyed” effect particularly required by the user.

The fact, where applicable, that no part of the applicator is located in the internal convex volume increases the applicator's reserve capacity and therefore simplifies the make-up by reducing the number of product reloads required.

Note that a convex volume is one in which, whenever any two points are taken, the line segment joining these two points is entirely contained within the volume.

Nevertheless, some of the protrusions could be present in this space. In this case, these protrusions help to store the product since they are themselves loaded with product. A product of reduced viscosity can then also be used since the protrusions extending in the volume tend to limit the spontaneous flow of product outside the volume and thus prevent the product from running.

Preferably, the core winding is helical.

However, this winding could also be conical or frustoconical.

Advantageously, the core winding has at least two sections with different helix pitches.

The different helix pitches reflect a larger or smaller inclination, relative to the main axis of the applicator, of the core portion forming this pitch. Thus, an applicator having sections with different helix pitches produces different make-up effects along the applicator, which is a make-up effect particularly required by the user. For example, a cosmetic product applicator for the eyelashes whose core winding has several different pitches in order to make up the eyelashes by turning them locally in different respective directions could be considered. The core winding could have at least three sections with different helix pitches, preferably at least four sections, for example at least five sections.

Advantageously, the core forms less than ten turns around the axis, preferably less than six turns, for example less than four turns.

This reduced number of turns makes the applicator more flexible and therefore provides in particular greater comfort for the user when applying the product.

Preferably, at least some of the protrusions form a single piece with the core, preferably all the protrusions forming a single piece with the core.

The applicator is therefore faster and/or less expensive to produce.

The applicator could be made in one piece.

Preferably, at least some of the protrusions have different lengths between each other.

The protrusions of a given applicator may therefore perform different functions. For example, in the case of a cosmetic product applicator for the eyelashes, the longest protrusions can store and deposit product on the eyelashes while the shortest protrusions can comb the eyelashes and smooth the product present on the eyelashes. Combined, these characteristics can be used to obtain a particularly satisfactory make-up result for the user.

Advantageously, the core has an inner side directed towards the axis and an outer side directed away from the axis, some of the protrusions which extend from the inner side being longer than some of the protrusions which extend from the outer side, preferably all the protrusions which extend from the inner side being longer than all the protrusions which extend from the outer side.

The longer protrusions which extend from the inner side are therefore partly present in the internal convex volume and can store cosmetic product, while the shorter protrusions which extend from the outer side can, for example in the case of a product for the eyelashes, comb and separate the eyelashes, and smooth the cosmetic product which has been deposited, for example by some of the longer protrusions. Several functions are therefore combined, which are particularly useful to obtain a satisfactory make-up result for the user. Due to the extreme length reached by these protrusions over a significant portion of the width of the convex volume, a large quantity of mascara can be deposited.

Preferably, the protrusions extending from the inner side are between 1 and 5 mm long.

They could be between 1.5 and 4.5 mm long, or even between 2 and 4 mm long, for example between 2.5 and 3.5 mm long.

Preferably, the protrusions extending from the outer side are between 0.5 and 1 mm long.

They could be between 0.6 and 0.9 mm long, for example between 0.7 and 0.8 mm long.

Advantageously, at least some of the protrusions are elongated and straight and extend in planes perpendicular to the axis.

This shape is especially suitable for good separation and good combing of the eyelashes. Obviously, the protrusions could have any other shape compatible for make-up, for example a curved, wavy or looped shape. The fact that the protrusions extend in planes perpendicular to the applicator axis makes them easier to organize and limits the number of protrusions which are too inclined relative to the axis, which could result in a make-up effect, in particular a combing effect, which would be too irregular compared with the result required by the user.

Preferably, the applicator forms a cosmetic product applicator for the skin, the nails, the lips, the eyelashes or the eyebrows and preferably forms a mascara applicator.

The invention also provides for a cosmetic article comprising an applicator as described previously.

The invention further provides for a method of manufacturing by additive synthesis an applicator as described previously, comprising the following steps of:

obtaining data concerning the applicator; and

additive synthesis of the applicator using the data.

The advantage of this type of manufacture is, in particular, that it can be used to produce applicators of complex structure, which it would be difficult or even impossible to produce by injection, considering in particular the existence of some parts with undercut.

Various additive synthesis methods known by those skilled in the art can be used to manufacture the invention. They include, for example, selective laser sintering (SLS) and stereolithography (SLA). An example of a method of manufacturing a cosmetic product applicator by additive synthesis is described in application WO 2008/113939 in the name of the applicant.

The invention also provides for an electronic storage medium comprising stored data to implement the method as described previously.

The invention further provides for a method of placing on a telecommunications network a computer file comprising data suitable for use by a computer program for controlling the implementation of the method as described previously in order to download it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic longitudinal cross-section of a cosmetic article according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 4 are side views in two different positions around the main axis of the applicator of the article shown on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of this applicator; and

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the applicator shown on FIGS. 2 to 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

We will now describe an embodiment of the applicator and of the method according to the invention, in reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. We will describe here a mascara applicator but, obviously, the applicator according to invention could be used with another cosmetic product, for example nail varnish, lipstick, eyeliner or gloss.

The mascara applicator 1 described in this embodiment is part of a cosmetic article 2 comprising a cap or plug 3, to which the applicator 1 is rigidly attached, and a case 4 comprising a mascara container 5 and a wiper 6 (see FIG. 1) housed in the collar of the container on which the cap can be removably attached, for example screwed, to close the container of the article. The applicator thus extends in the container and is immersed in the mascara.

Obviously, other types of article with mascara applicators can be considered such as for example “pen” type articles in which the applicator is not connected to a cap or articles in which the applicator is not immersed in the mascara reserve when not used.

The applicator is carried by a straight rod 8 which connects it to the cap 3. The applicator has a generally elongated oval shape along its main axis 9. The rod 8 has a generally straight cylindrical shape. The rod and the applicator are connected together by one of their ends.

Obviously, the applicator could have other general shapes, for example a frustoconical shape.

The applicator

The applicator 1 comprises a core 10 which forms a winding around the axis 9 of the applicator and along this axis (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

In the present case, the core forms three complete turns 11, or revolutions, around the axis 9 of the applicator. Obviously, the core could form a winding having a larger or smaller number of turns 11. For example, the core winding could have one, two, four, five, six or seven turns 11. The core is connected by one of its ends to the rod 8, its other end being free. In the present case, the applicator 1 comprises only one core 10. An applicator comprising a greater number of cores, for example two, three, four or five, extending away from each other around the axis and defining a common internal volume could be planned.

The most proximal turn 11 and the most distal turn 11 have a substantially equal helix pitch p1 which is greater than the helix pitch p2 of the median turn 11. Obviously, all the turns of the applicator could have the same helix pitch p or they could all have different helix pitches p.

The core 10 has a circular cross-section in a plane locally perpendicular to the core axis. This cross-section could have another shape, for example oblong polygonal or oval.

In the present case, the core 10 is solid but it could be hollow and/or its walls could form a mesh.

The core extends entirely at a distance from the axis. The winding of the core 10 defines an internal convex volume 12 extending from one end of the winding to another end of the winding. In the present case, the internal volume 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape of axis 9, with circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to this axis. This volume 12 can act as a mascara reserve. This internal convex volume 12 could have another shape, for example a conical or frustoconical shape.

The core has an inner side 13 directed towards the axis and an outer side 14 directed away from the axis. Protrusions extend from these two sides of the core 10. The protrusions 15 which extend from the inner side 13 are longer than the protrusions 16 which extend from the outer side 14.

In the present case, all the protrusions are elongated and straight. Obviously, at least some of the protrusions could have another general shape, for example a curved, wavy or looped shape. In this case, the protrusions 15, 16 form a single piece with the core 10. This does not have to be the case or only some of the protrusions could form a single piece with the core.

The sizes of the protrusions are such that the applicator has a substantially cylindrical general shape (see FIG. 3). This offers in particular the advantage of helping to produce a uniform make-up effect and avoids the presence of portions of the applicator which project out, since this could make the user worried when bringing the applicator close to her eye during make-up.

On most of the core, except on its free end section, protrusions 15, 16 extend all around the core when considering any short section of the core. This creates a high density of protrusions and therefore further improves the make-up effect. In addition, this section comprises both long protrusions 15 and short protrusions 16, so that a given section of the core can be used, by simply rotating the applicator around its axis, to apply mascara on the eyelashes, smooth this mascara on the eyelashes and comb the eyelashes.

Using the applicator

Firstly, the cap 3 is screwed onto the collar of the article 1 and the applicator is immersed in the mascara reserve and is therefore loaded with mascara. More particularly, the internal convex volume 12 and the protrusions 15 extending from the inner side 14 of the core 10 are loaded with mascara. The applicator is then closed. The user handles the applicator 1 holding the cap 3 between her fingers and unscrewing it from the collar.

When coming out of the container, the applicator 1 passes through the wiper 6 and is wiped but all or some of the mascara reserve present in the internal convex volume 12 and the mascara present on the portion of the long protrusions 15 present in the internal volume 12 is preserved. Mascara is also loaded on the short protrusions but a greater quantity of mascara than for the long protrusions is wiped.

During use, the user brings the applicator up to her eyelashes in order to apply the make-up, using a traditional make-up movement, mostly vertical and accompanied by a slight rotation of the applicator 1 around its axis 9.

The long protrusions 15 deposit mascara on the eyelashes and the short protrusions smooth this mascara and separate and comb the eyelashes.

The fact that the core 10 forms a winding around the axis of the applicator can provide a certain degree of flexibility depending on the material and dimensional characteristics of the applicator. In this case, during application, the applicator is locally compressed by the eyelashes, which draws out the mascara present in the internal convex volume 12 in this area. The mascara present in the volume 12 is thus even more available for make-up. In addition, due to the flexibility of the applicator, make-up is more pleasant for the user.

In addition, the shape of the core 10 helps to comb and organize the eyelashes. More particularly, depending on the type of use, it allows the eyelashes to be directed towards the outside, which is a make-up effect particularly required.

The manufacturing method

The applicator described above is manufactured in one piece. More particularly, this applicator is manufactured by additive synthesis, also known as 3D printing.

Any suitable material can be used to manufacture this applicator. It may be a plastic, for example a polyamide, in particular a polyamide 1102, a PEBA 2301, or an ABS type resin, or a powdered metal such as a stainless steel or titanium.

The material may be rigid but will preferably be elastically flexible. Preferably, the material, in combination with the applicator's shape characteristics, gives the applicator a certain degree of flexibility.

Note that the length of a mascara applicator is generally less than 20 mm.

Several additive synthesis methods may be used to manufacture an applicator as described previously. We may mention in particular selective laser sintering from powdered material, and stereolithography (SLA). In the present case, a selective laser sintering method is used, this method offering the advantage of allowing objects of complex shape to be manufactured.

The applicator is first designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software. A file in STL format with the applicator design data is therefore created and then exported. These data determine the shape of the applicator. Other standard file formats for additive synthesis may be used.

This file is then processed by software supplied by the manufacturer of the machine used to carry out the additive synthesis. This software breaks down the file into sections in the form of about hundred digital images in SLI or BFF format, each image corresponding to a layer of the model to be printed, i.e. to a section of the applicator 1 taken in a plane perpendicular to the main axis 9 of the applicator. These data are then sent to the printer to produce the applicator.

Once the synthesis is finished, treatments may be applied to the applicator, for example to improve its appearance.

Obviously, numerous modifications can be made without leaving the scope of the invention.

The embodiment described concerns a mascara applicator, but the same characteristics could be considered on an applicator of another cosmetic product for the eyelashes, or a cosmetic product for the eyebrows, the skin, the nails or the lips.

An applicator of generally elongated oval shape has been described, but the applicator could have another general shape, for example a generally frustoconical shape. 

1. A cosmetic product applicator comprising: a core forming a winding over at least one turn around a main axis of the applicator and along this main axis so as to define an internal convex volume extending from one end of the winding to another end of the winding, and protrusions extending from the core, the applicator being arranged such that no part of the applicator, with the possible exception of certain protrusions, is located in the internal convex volume.
 2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the winding of the core is helical.
 3. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the winding of the core has at least two sections with different helix pitches.
 4. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core forms less than ten turns around the main axis.
 5. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the protrusions form a single piece with the core.
 6. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the protrusions have different lengths between each other.
 7. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core has an inner side directed towards the main axis and an outer side directed away from the main axis, some of the protrusions which extend from the inner side being longer than some of the protrusions which extend from the outer side.
 8. The applicator according to claim 7, wherein the protrusions extending from the inner side are between 1 and 5 mm long.
 9. The applicator according to claim 7, wherein the protrusions extending from the outer side are between 0.5 and 1 mm long.
 10. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the protrusions are elongated and straight and extend in planes perpendicular to the axis.
 11. The Applicator according to claim 1, forming a cosmetic product applicator for the skin, the nails, the lips, the eyelashes or the eyebrows or forming a mascara applicator.
 12. A cosmetic article comprising an applicator according to claim
 1. 13. A method of manufacturing by additive synthesis an applicator, comprising the following steps: obtaining data concerning the applicator, the applicator comprising a core forming a winding over at least one turn around a main axis of the applicator and along this main axis so as to define an internal convex volume extending from one end of the winding to another end of the winding, and protrusions extending from the core, the applicator being arranged such that no part of the applicator, with the possible exception of certain protrusions, is located in the internal convex volume; and additive synthesis of the applicator using the data.
 14. An electronic storage medium comprising stored data to implement the method according to claim
 13. 15. A method of placing on a telecommunications network a computer file comprising data suitable for use by a computer program for controlling the implementation of the method according to claim 13, in order to download it.
 16. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core forms less than six turns around the main axis.
 17. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core forms less than four turns around the main axis.
 18. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein all of the protrusions form a single piece with the core.
 19. The applicator according to claim 7, wherein all the protrusions which extend from the inner side being longer than all the protrusions which extend from the outer side. 